Stave 5

The next thing Robotnik knew, a great light filled the cemetery and he hit the floor. The floor? He looked around. The cemetery was gone. He had face-planted on his bedroom floor. He looked up at the French glass door with light streaming through. "It's morning? I've been given another chance? Ha ha! I'm alive! I can still make things right." He moved around his room in a flurry. He went out onto the balcony and looked down at the streets. He saw a young bunny singing nearby. "Excuse me, boy!" He called out, startling him. "Yes, what day is it?"

The boy was confused by being addressed so politely by the man. "Today? It's Christmas Day, sire…" The bunny trembled with fear.

Joy and hope warmed Robotnik's chest. "Christmas Day? I haven't missed it. The Spirits did it all in one night! They can do anything they want." He laughed a jolly laugh that echoed through the city. He pulled out a sack of money. "Do you know the turkey in the window down the street at the butcher's?" He asked the bunny.

"The one as big as me?" The boy asked. "Yes sire. I know it."

"Of course you do. You're a smart, cracking lad. Take this and buy it for me. Ask the butcher to deliver it to me," He instructed as he threw him the sack. The boy caught it with practiced ease. "Keep the change for yourself and if there's no change, return and I'll pay you handsomely." He

The bunny nodded, clutching the coins close. "Yes, sire! I will go at once." He dashed off.

Robotnik chuckled to himself as he picked up his phone. He dialed Sleet's number and schooled his tone. "Sleet, did you and Dingo bug the hedgehogs' van as I ordered? Good! Now, when you come today, I expect you to bring your brother. No, I don't mean Dingo. Your little brother. That is an order. If you don't, I will have the bots drag you all in." He hung up the phone and laughed. "They have no idea what I'm going to do. None at all." He turned on the monitors that were hooked to the security cameras in the Montclair household. He watched as Bartleby welcomed the hedgehogs early. The boy had obviously planned to prepare them in case he chose to come.

"We really can't stay much past noon, Bartleby," Sonia explained. "Sanctuary and the children are expecting us this evening."

Bartleby nodded. "That's alright but… maybe I could join you?" He asked.

Aleena smiled. "I don't see why not. Christmas can be a lonely time for some."

Robotnik felt grateful that Aleena so willingly granted his nephew's request. Gone was the hate that he once held for them.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, Sleet and Dingo reluctantly arrived with their little brother wrapped in warm blankets. "It's time for us to go to Sanctuary. The Underground have left Bartleby's and we need to follow them. And I happen to know Aleena is with them. It's time to end this war." He sneered.

"Sire, please. I don't know why Tails has to come. He's sick and he's innocent. He's no threat to you." Sleet begged.

Robotnik glared, silencing the bounty hunter. "You'll find out why I ordered you to bring your brother when we get there." He held up a vial with red liquid. "Give this to him and he'll feel better."

Sleet warily accepted the vial and gave it to Tails. He was surprised when color returned to the boy's cheeks. "Big brother, he was right, I do feel better."

Dingo's mouth opened and shut. "Why? How?" He asked but Robotnik refused to answer any further questions.

They followed the hedgehogs at a safe distance through the forest. The path wound down a mountain and into a small valley. Robotnik pondered how he had never thought to look here before. They hung back as they saw the hedgehogs come to a stop under the roots of a massive sequoia tree.

"Sire, should we attack? We have the advantage?" Sleet asked. Surely Robotnik wanted to have Tails there to make sure they succeeded this time. Or at least that's how Robotnik interpreted Sleet's statement

Robotnik shook his head. "No… Wait a few moments…" He said. "Quietly unload the crates in the back."

—

"Hey kids!" Sonic shouted as they got out of their van. The lights around the clearing came on to showcase the grand red and green banners made from the fallen leaves of October and November. The children ran to the hedgehogs and hugged their heroes.

Sonia smiled. "Look who came with us. The Oracle of Delphius and our mother Queen Aleena. And…" She bit her lip and looked at Bartleby. "Bartleby Montclair, a very… very dear friend…" Her tone betrayed her true feelings.

"Yes, I can see who came…" Robotnik's dark voice filled the clearing as he laughed maniacally. "Thank you for finding your mother for me. Or should I be thanking Bartleby for gift wrapping you all for me."

Manic growled as he and his family prepared to protect the children and themselves. "Robotnik! How did you find us!"

Sonia rolled her eyes. "Let me guess, that's why you had Sleet and Dingo attack us last night! You got them to track us somehow! We won't let you hurt anyone. Including Mother."

Bartleby shook his head. "Nor will I. Uncle, please. Don't do this. They're only children." He went to his knees before the domineering dictator.

Robotnik looked at Bartleby with cold, dark eyes. "Aleena, I will give you one chance. Stand before me and I will spare you."

Aleena nodded. "I will gladly stand before you. And I will gladly knock you down." She said as she stepped up, ready to fight.

Robotnik nodded. "And I will gladly do what I should have done twenty years ago." All sides were ready to go to battle until he knelt before her. "Aleena, I, Julian Robotnik surrender the throne to you on this Christmas Day. I'm sorry for everything I've done. I've come to make amends. Sleet, Dingo, open the crates."

The bounty hunters each opened one of the large crates. Inside one was food, a full Christmas feast with the enormous turkey. Inside the other was the supplies for a Christmas tree and presents.

His announcement got the desired response. The hedgehogs and Bartleby gaped at him while he stood up. "I hope you can accept my apology. Merry Christmas."

Aleena fell into a nearby seat with shock. " Yes… in the spirit of Christmas, I can. Merry Christmas."

Sonic, Sonia and Manic looked at each other then at Robotnik. Sonic's eyebrow went crooked and he asked, "Are you okay? Did you hit your head?"

Robotnik smiled. "My eyes have simply been opened. Merry Christmas to everyone. Bartleby, you were right. I have everything that I could ever want and I wasn't grateful. But I am now. I'm grateful to have you as my nephew. And Sleet and Dingo, I promise things are going to be better for you too. And for Tails." He looked around at the party. "I'm sorry for these last twenty years and I promise, it's over now. I am a changed man and I will honor Christmas and I will keep it in my heart all year long."

And Robotnik was better than his word. He moved in with Bartleby so Aleena could take back her palace. Her magic restored the palace and the kingdom to its former glory, with trees and plants everywhere. The wild animals returned and the water and air became clean.

With Robotnik's change of heart, Aleena finally gave her blessing to Bartleby and he asked Sonia once more to marry him. She said yes and they were married on New Year's Eve. Sonia accepted Robotnik as her uncle-in-law and the three formed quite the odd family.

Robotnik deroboticized all of his victims and returned them to their families. Sonic was beside himself to have his Uncle Chuck back. Manic eventually began dating Sleet with Ferrell's approval.

Robotnik increased Sleet and Dingo's salary exponentially and bought them a new home for them and their brother. Robotnik became like a new father to them all and it was later said that there was no finer man than Robotnik. He became known for his kindness and warmth, honoring Christmas all year long. The city of Robotropolis became a Mobotropolis once again and they all lived happily ever after.

Fin

AN: Whoo I actually finished a story. What a shock. I'll need to revise obviously but this is the rough draft. Please, leave your thoughts and suggestions. Thank you.